BIGFORK – Electric Avenue restaurant opens sweatshop, the first of its kind in Bigfork.
“There are obviously bars and restaurants in town, but there really isn’t anything quite as unique as this,” said Aaron Killian, owner of Showtyme Act 2. The sweatshop will be called 1908, and it will embrace the history of the building that was once a bank.
“The original bankers from 1908, I found pictures of them so I have them framed across the street and we put on this cool stuff like that,” Killian said.
Offering high-end bourbon and gin, the sweatshop brings back the historic feel of the basement with its rock walls and Edison bulbs.
Killian and his wife have always had this idea for the restaurant.
“My wife and I always had the idea of saying ‘oh man, that would be such a cool space. We have to figure out what to do with it, ”Killian said.
But devastation struck on March 20 when Killian’s wife Jenny died in her sleep from a kidney infection.
“His potassium levels dropped in the middle of the night and his heart stopped,” Killian said.
Showtyme closed for six weeks as Killian and his family mourned the loss of Jenny.
“There was a good week and a half where we had to decide if we were going to open at all,” Killian said.
After getting over her loss, Killian got down to business and decided to set up the sweatshop for Jenny. With the help of the community and colleagues, 1908 was opened.
“People helped and my staff were really good about it and helped me with stuff and they still are, they pick up little bits of things that she would do and they maybe do for me now. “said Killian.
Now, a photo and frame signed by friends and family of Aaron and Jenny have been placed in the foyer since their restaurant’s first opening night, to remember and pay tribute to her.
1908 and Showtyme are open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until the last person leaves.
You can find more information here.
